At Fri, 11 Feb 2000, Tina Shelby wrote:
> >JAnet, > >I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth about having surgery or not having >surgery. > >I have had no less than 12 abdominal surgeries for adhesions. After each >surgery, I would have pain relief, for a time, then the pain wouold return >with a vengence. Each time, I sought a surgeon who would go in and "clean >up" the adhesions and take out whatever the adhesions had caused, such as >ovarian cysts/tumors. My last surgery all but cost me my life. I had a total >abd. hyst but also had a nicked bowel. I spent a week in ICU with my family >not knowing if I was going to live or die. My husband still can not talk >about the horrible experience without getting emotional. Seprafilm was used, >but because of the infection, it did not help. > >After about 9 months, the pain was back again. It was at this point, I >decided not to put my family/myself through another potentially >life-threatening surgery but sought pain-management. This does not mean I >have lost hope, on the contrary, I am at peace with my decision. The >medicines/diet are working to control the episodes of what I describe as >"sucidial levels" of pain. > >I am in the process of getting disability as I can not work and take these >medicines. I am looking into starting my own home-based business and I am >co-authoring a book. Although life is not fair, (not that anyone said that >it would be) - I am using what I have and am going to live my life to the >fullest - and not let the pain get the better of me. I could feel sorry for >myself, but what benifit is that? I don't understand why this has happened >to me. I could be bitter, just sit down and let life pass me by, but what a >waste of life that would be. > >So, I just wanted to let you all know, that if the time comes, where surgery >is no more the option of choice (or the cure), you can live with ahesions >(with pain management) and have a productive life, even though it may be a >bit different that what you had envisioned for yourself. So don't be >discouraged because surgery does not have to be your only option. I will not >have surgery again, unless I totally obstruct and have not other choice. > >Tina